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Ryan Reynolds, Kathy Griffin and more share memories of late star Betty White

Twitter has lit up with anecdotes from Betty White’s incredible 80-year career after the cultural icon died on New Year’s Eve just shy of her 100th birthday.

Samantha Ibrahim and NY Post
4 min read
January 1, 2022 - 9:22PM
Betty White dies just weeks away from 100th birthday

The world lost a true friend on New Year’s Eve.

Comedy legend Betty White died on December 31 just weeks before her 100th birthday.

The trailblazing Golden Girls and Mary Tyler Moore Show star shined for 80 years in the business, becoming a cultural icon in her 80s and 90s.

Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Mike Lopez told the New York Post that officers responded to a radio call on Friday at about 9.30am concerning “a natural death investigation” at the 99-year-old’s home in Brentwood, California.

Her agent and close friend Jeff Witjas later confirmed the news to People magazine.

White was set to premiere a one-night-only event to mark her milestone birthday. Betty White: 100 Years Young – A Birthday Celebration was to be distributed by Fathom Events and shown in 900 cinemas nationwide on January 17, 2022.

And of course we all knew the truth – but did she realise she’s a legit pop culture icon?

“My egomaniacal answer is – of course, I’m the centre of the storm!,” White once told the Post with a chuckle. “That’s a joke. I’m just grateful to be working, and that starts at the beginning. When you start out, you’re so grateful to have a job … and you carry that feeling through your whole career. At least I have.”

Heartbroken fans and stars alike – including President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, paid tribute to her long life and eclectic career over social media.

Mr Biden shared his thoughts during a Friday press conference. “That’s a shame. She was a lovely lady.” FLOTUS added, “Who didn’t love Betty White? We’re so sad.”

And after affectionately joking with White just a day before her passing, actor Ryan Reynolds shared his remorse for his colleague and friend.

Naturally, her friends in comedy had some choice memories of the late icon.

Her Hot in Cleveland co-star Valerie Bertinelli shared a more sombre condolence.

White’s advocacy efforts were also lauded in remembrances.

Anthony Allen Ramos, GLAAD’s Head of Talent shared that “Betty White was an icon in the entertainment industry and a true ‘friend’ to the LGBTQ community”.

“Her character Rose on The Golden Girls was instrumental in drawing mainstream attention to LGBTQ issues on television, namely an episode that raised awareness about HIV in 1990,” he said. “Throughout the rest of her career, White used her platform to advocate for many issues affecting the LGBTQ community, including marriage equality and supporting at-risk queer youth.

White was a frequent guest at the GLAAD Media Awards, and one of our fondest memories of her was when she spoke out in support of marriage equality at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in 2013, stating: ‘I just want to say to all the judgmental people out there: if two people in love want to get married, let ’em get married!’”

Will and Grace actress Debra Messing was also among the flood of shocked celebs who took to Twitter to share their thoughts and memories.

“Betty White. Oh noooooooo,” Messing wrote. “I grew up watching and being delighted by her. She was playful and daring and smart. We all knew this day would come but it doesn’t take away the feeling of loss. A national treasure, indeed. Fly with the Angels.”

Actor Henry Winkler tweeted: “Betty White : [It] is very hard to absorb you are not here anymore. But the memories of your deLIGHT are. Thank you for yur humour, your warmth and your activism. Rest now and say Hi to Bill.”

Netflix’s Jarett Wieselman added, “Betty White was an icon, a legend, and consistently found a way to be the moment over her nearly 70 year career.

“A trailblazer. An original. And a truly kind soul. May she be forever surrounded by four-legged animals in heaven.”

One ardent fan wrote, “Betty White passing away hurts. May our Golden Girl rest in eternal peace.”

“Taking Betty White 2 weeks before she was going to turn 100 is really 2021 stabbing us with the knife but then twisting it to finish off the year,” another heartbroken user said.

Actress and Oscar winner Marlee Matlin added, “Betty White will go down in the history books as ageless. 99 or 100, the numbers belie the fact that she lived the best life EVER! RIP Betty White.”

Comedian Kathy Griffin shared an anecdote from their time working together in the ’90s among a series of tribute tweets.

“1) Betty White. Where do I begin? I’ve known her long, but I think the first time I met her was when she was a guest star on Suddenly Susan in the late ’90s. Everyone was very excited she was on the show. I had accidentally parked in her parking spot that day.

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“She walks in, yells from the back of the soundstage for everyone to hear “Where’s that red-headed b**ch who stole my parking spot???” SWOON. A friendship was born.”

George Takei said, “Our national treasure, Betty White, has passed just before her 100th birthday. Our Sue Ann Nivens, our beloved Rose Nylund, has joined the heavens to delight the stars with her inimitable style, humour, and charm. A great loss to us all. We shall miss her dearly.”

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/celebrity-deaths/ryan-reynolds-kathy-griffin-and-more-share-memories-of-late-star-betty-white/news-story/722b814645c33c85d68f2e711cbb5ee6